Back up to Shetland in the Northern Isles for this one – no surprises it’s in the aquaculture sector. Shetland is a major hub for salmon farming, supporting over 400 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs, and it’s one of my favourite places to visit.
When you shoot extensively in one sector, it can be challenging to keep ideas fresh. It’s easy to fall back on setups you know work – and that clients often expect. This frame builds on images I’ve made before, but adding a second subject in the foreground brings another dimension and, I think, tells a slightly different story. As anyone who’s spent time on a salmon pen will know, there’s not much room to work with – especially on smaller sites – and there’s no shortage of trip and snag hazards to navigate either. It can be a tricky environment to work in, especially if seas are a bit interesting…
I really like the restricted colour palette in this one, along with the textures in the farmer’s jersey and hat. It all feels quite wholesome and earthy – to me anyway.
